An anthology of published and unpublished monographs by Anthony E. Larson, written for Latter-day Saints (Mormons) who wish to better understand their scriptures, their prophets and the temple experience.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The Prophecy Enigma Solved

Decoding the
Prophets’ Symbolism

You may have heard of the Bible Code. This is not about
that. In fact, the Bible Code, as portrayed in Christian and pop literature, is
a fallacy.

This essay is about a very real code, though it was never
meant to be such. It happened quite by accident. You are probably very aware of
it, though you’ve probably never thought of it as a code.

This is about the Prophets’
Code: the vocabulary or lexicon used by the prophets that I call the “language
of the prophets.” It is characterized by the odd and often bizarre imagery found
everywhere in scripture, including latter-day revelation. Examples of this
imagery are such things as wheels, candlesticks, monsters or beasts, stars,
trumpets and references to arcane ideas such as fire from heaven, the heavens
reeling to and fro, the moon turning to blood, Alpha and Omega, the Son of Man
and so forth.

So we must ask: Why the use of such symbolic or coded
language? Why a Prophets’ Code? Why
mystify any of the gospel? Why not simply speak plainly so all can understand?

I maintain that the prophets’ imagery was “plain language”
as it was first used and understood. From the days of Adam until the demise of
the Savior and his Apostles, it was a common denominator in all ancient
cultures, easily comprehended by people who could neither read nor write. But
because the means to understand that language has since been systematically
erased or expunged from our culture over time, it has become an enigma rather
than a teaching tool.

Therein lies a remarkable story.

Codes and keys:
deciphering a lost language

A code can be simple or complex. A game of language called
“Pig Latin” is an example of a simple code. To use it or understand it, you
must have this key: Move the first letter or consonant of each word to the end
of that word, and then add an “a” (pronounced “ay”). Thus, the word “store”
becomes “orestay,” or the word “happy” becomes “appyhay.” And unless bystanders
can figure out the key—that is, decipher the code—they will not understand what
is said by those who do have the key.

So the code’s key becomes the solution to the puzzle.

For the sake of clarity, here’s a simple encoded or
encrypted text that is sometimes used to baffle the uninitiated.

On the face of it, this message seems to indicate that the
writer is in no danger and there is no cause for alarm. But once you decipher
the code, using the key, it conveys an entirely different message.

Have you detected the key? Can you decipher the message? If
so, you know the message is actually a cry for help—literally! By taking only
the first letter of each sentence and putting it in the same order it appeared
in the original note, we get the word HELP.

Of course, coded messages are typically more complex than
that. Some messages are obviously a code because the symbols used are
unfamiliar and cryptic, or the text appears scrambled. Others appear to be
legitimate texts, like our little example, because they can be read quite
easily. In that case, it isn’t even obvious that it is an encoded message at
all, as is the case with the Prophets’
Code.

In every case, one must have the key—sometimes a combination
of keys—to decipher a code. Thus, it’s safe to say that where codes are
concerned, the “key” unlocks the message.

Coded language

Deciphering an unknown language, such as the Prophets’ Code,
is much like decoding an encrypted message.

A good example of this is the Mayan codices. The
anthropologists and linguists who are working to decipher the Mayan hieroglyphs
have literally been deciphering a code, plain and simple. The very word for
their writing indicates that: codices.

The Mayans didn’t intend their writing system to be a code.
In fact, for them it was just the opposite. It was their way of recording and
presenting their cultural, traditional and religious beliefs. All Mayans could
easily “read” it.

It is the passage of time and the inevitable forgetting that
comes with it that makes a once-familiar writing or teaching system into a
mystery, a code. For them, it was commonplace; for us, it’s an enigma.

The prophets, the apostles and the Savior didn’t invent the
Prophets’ Code. They weren’t trying to hide anything. Instead, they were using
a well-established, time-honored system of sacred metaphors and symbols from
their contemporary cultures to teach the gospel.

Confirmation of the
key

Once the proper key is applied to its code, the message it
translates becomes clear. The moment that happens, it’s obvious to all
concerned that the applied key is the correct one. Thus, the key’s ability to fully interpret or translate a message
confirms its validity. Put plainly, it is its own proof.

Nowhere is all this truer than in our attempt to decode the
prophets’ message. And it also serves to point out the shortcomings in flawed
interpretations so prevalent in Christianity today. When the key is applied—or keys in this case—the message can be read in
its entirety, word for word. There are no garbled or incomprehensible
segments and there is no need to take bits and pieces out of context to build
an interpretation, as do all our Christian cousins.

The long-lost key

So, what is the key to the Prophet’s Code? Cosmology--the events and images projected on
Earth’s ancient heavens by electrified plasmas and nearby planetary orbs
generating effects and phenomena seen and experienced by all mankind. These
were recorded in stone, art, ritual and tradition by the ancients, which then
gave rise to the major themes or motifs of all cultures.

Those themes, called metaphors or motifs and their graphic
counterparts, the icons or images, became the archetypes for all sacred
expression in cultures worldwide. These were handed down from generation to
generation, carefully and faithfully preserved as their sacred history.

How history became a
code

An explanation of how plain language became a code can be
found, of all places, in the vision of Nephi, the one I call “The History
Lesson.” (1 Nephi 13.)

He is shown by an angel that the Gospel—“the words of a
book”-- would first be corrupted by the Gentiles and then further defiled by
“that great and abominable church.”

When we look at secular or profane history, we see just what
Nephi described. First the Catholic Church rejected many texts that may have
contained authentic teachings of the Savior and the apostles. It’s also
apparent from textual comparison that there were many alterations and changes
made by these “Gentiles.”

Hence, modern Christianity is based almost entirely on
doctrine from only a few texts the Catholic fathers preferred. Actually, it’s
quite likely that they chose poorly in some cases because they were not guided
by revelation, as were the Apostles. These few canonical texts are thought to
contain all that’s needed to be a true disciple.

Later, in the Reformation, many splinter groups broke off
from the Catholic. This was the Protestant movement that saw the advent of
Lutherans, Calvinists and the Church of England, among others. Like their
Catholic predecessors, none of the Protestant churches claimed revelation.
Hence, they embraced the same canon that the Catholics had settled upon
centuries earlier, though they interpreted it somewhat differently.

At about the same time, one group denounced formal religion
altogether. They embraced the doctrines of skepticism, rationalism and
empiricism. They rejected both the sacred canon and the teachings of
Christianity as “myths,” the product of irrational, foolish minds.

But they embraced the Catholic educational system, the
“university” with all its liturgical trappings and degrees of
indoctrination—once called “priesthood.” These accouterments include the robes
once worn in sacred settings, the cap and gown used in commencement exercises—what
Nibley famously called “the robes of false priesthood.”

They created an alternate creation story, their own version
of Genesis, which they later called “the Big Bang.” They fashioned their own
apostles: Lyell, Hutton, Darwin, Newton and later, Einstein.

This was the Science Church, though it refused to be equated
with normative religion, casting itself as the antithesis of religion. And that
is the key: It is a religion, complete with its own dogma and hierarchy. Nephi saw
it for what it was and correctly referred to it as a “church.” He called it
“the great and abominable church”—“great” because it infiltrated all cultures
the world over, “abominable” because its doctrine denied Christ and his Gospel.

The result

As a consequence of these two major influences on
Christianity, as predicted by Nephi, we can come to only one conclusion: The most common cultural and religious
motifs of antiquity are unknown and unrecognized in our day and age for what
they truly represent. We either misinterpret them, or we are blind to them,
though they surround us. If we recognize them at all, we label them “mysteries”
and then dismiss them as inexplicable. They exist in our cultural traditions
and customs—even our language—and they are especially prevalent in our
religions.

The result: What was once a clear and unmistakable system of
related ideas is now a mystery, a conundrum, a secret and impenetrable code.
According to secular and sectarian authorities, they are nothing more than
“myth,” “legend,” “fairy tales” or “paganism,” having virtually nothing to do
with the real world or the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So too the icons that were
meant to recall and explain the imagery of all ancient culture and tradition.

Deciphering the
Prophets’ Code

The good news is this: You can learn the Prophets’ Code. You can read the
scriptural imagery that has heretofore completely baffled you. One need not be
a prophet or even a scriptorian to read the prophets’ messages and completely
understand them, without the confusion and frustration you’ve encountered in
the past.

A whole new world of knowledge and understanding will open
to you. You’ll see the scriptures afresh, with a entirely new perspective on
the past and the future. The most enigmatic passages and visions in biblical
texts—from Genesis, to Ezekiel, to Isaiah, to Revelation—and modern revelation—from
Doctrine and Covenants to the Pearl of Great Price—will become as child’s play
to read.

Without sounding self-serving or self-important, I suggest
that you avail yourself of the information provided by this author to further
your understanding of the prophets’ messages. You will benefit from my many
years of study and research that now offer a unique and comprehensive
understanding of the Prophets’ Code.

Read the scriptures as
easily as you would read a newspaper or magazine.

Your best resource and guide is this website: www.MormonProphecy.com. I hope you
will make a point of visiting. It will be my privilege to be your guide.

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The Ancient Skies and the Restored Gospel

The Online Classes Have Begun, And You Are Invited!

You will be instructed by Anthony in ancient cosmological history and its application to the restored gospel in these pre-recorded lessons. You will see the scriptures, ancient history and gospel symbolism as never before.

This is a university-level course of study. Learn these things in the comfort and convenience of your own home, sitting at your own computer, in a series of 16, one-hour classes. Using slides and video clips to demonstrate these amazing and revealing ideas, he will lead you step by step through an adventure of discovery and insight.

The curriculum for these classes features a lengthy examination of ancient cosmological history and its bearing upon the restored gospel, the visions of the prophets, the imagery found in the scriptures and in our temples.

A Free Course Preview

Watch a free 8-minute preview of the online course "The Ancient Skies and the Restored Gospel.Simply go to the HUB (http://www.instantpresenter.com/anthonyelarson). Click the "Past Meetings" tab near the top. Then click the "View Recording" button. The preview will play automatically.